Corn-planter.



3 SHEETS-SHEBT 1.

. v PATENTED AUG. 7, 190.6.

L. n. BBNNER.

A 001m PLANTBR.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 17. 1905.

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PATBNTED AUG. 7, 1906. L. D. B'BNNER.

CORN PLANTER.

APPLICATION FILED PBBJ?. 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 co., wAsHmm-nn, n. f:4

PATENTBD AUG. 7, 1906.

l L. D. BENNER.

CORN PLANTER.

APPLIcATIoN FILED 121312.17, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIO'E.

CORN-PLANTER.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 7, 1906.

Application filed February 17, 1905. Serial No. 246.019.

To all whom, it 17m/y concer-n:

Be it known that I, LORENZO D. BENNER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Peoria, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Corn-Planters; and I dohereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, which will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has reference to corn-planters, and has for its object toproduce aplanter in which is obviated certain objectionable features ofthat class of planters employing clutch devices for obtaining anintermittent movement of the rotating shaft which transmits power to theseed-plates. This objection is overcome by producing a rotating shaftwhich is continuously rotated from a driven aXle by introducing gearingbetween said shaft and the seed-plate, the transmission of power fromthe gearing to the 'seedplate being controlled by a plunger or similarmember operating through such gearing,

the plunger adapted to be actuated by a rock-shaft movable by atappet-wire by foot or by hand power. (Not shown.)

A further object of the invention is to simplify the construction andoperation of the seeding devices by providing a rock-shaft and asleeve-shaftrevoluble on said rockshaft. However, the shafts may beseparated 3 but for convenience in changing the planter to drop atdifferent widths the sleeveshaft is preferable. Gearing is providedbetween the said sleeve and the seed-plates, and a member is movablethrough the gearing for controlling communication between said plate andthe gearing, means on the rockshaft for raising the member to lock thegearing with the plate, and means on the member for releasing themember, and thereby release the gearing from the plate.

In simplifying the construction of the mechanism and its arrangementbeneath the plate for actuating said plate I have so disposed the partsthat it is necessary to raise the plunger to actuate the plate. Inplanting in hills the plunger is intermittingly raised, giving acorresponding rotation to the plate. In drilling the plunger will beraised and so held. To raise and hold the plunger. all that is necessaryis to throw the tappet-arm and lock it in that position by any suitablemeans. The plate and connections above the same coperating therewithcontrols its point of stopping, which is accomplished by causing theplunger to drop.

The invention herein is an improvement upon the planter shown anddescribed in the patent granted to me on November 1, 1904,k No. 77 3,705, and the nature of the improvement consists in the lockingconnections between the plate and the gearing for actuating the same andto means `for positively stopping and retaining the plate in a fixedposition upon the disconnecting of the gearing therefrom.

A further object of the invention is a plate formed of a centerdriving-ring adapted to have an intermittent connection with suitablegearing. and to van outer ring having an interlocking connection withthe center ring and provided Witha series of seed-cells spaced atintervals therein.

For a more full description of the invention herein and the meritsthereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of constructionof the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to thefollowing description and drawings hereto attached.

While the essential and characteristic features of the invention aresusceptible of modiiication, still the preferred embodiment of theinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure1 is a vertical sectional view through a hopper and the seedingmechanism therein, also showing the tappet-arm shaft and the sleevethereon from which rotary motion is imparted to the seeding-plate in thehopper.k Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a hopper and the seedingdevices, being at right angles to that shown in Fi 1, in additionshowing a portion of a shan. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a base orremovable seed-supporting plate, also the inner and outer rings formingvthe plate supported thereby, together with a part of the mechanism fordriving the plate. Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the inner and outerrings of the plate in locked relation, also showing pawls pivoted to theinner ring which are adapted to be engaged by ratchet. mechanism in thegearing. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a ratchet-gear in section, showingthe manner of connecting the samev to lOO suitable gearing. Fig. 6 is adetail in section, showing the ratchet-gear in engagement with the pawlsof the inner ring of the plate; and Fig. 7 is a sectional detail showingthe inner and outer plates connected, also the contour of a portion ofthe upper surface of the inner ring.

In the drawings, 1 indicates a shank, which may be of any suitable form,its upper forward and rear portions being connected to and supported bythe frame parts 2 and 3.

4 denotes a false or removable bottom of a seed box 'or hopper and bysome suitable means (not shown) is adapted to be attached to the upperend of the shank. The false bottom 4 is provided with a seed-duct 5 toone side thereof, which at its lower end communicates with aseed-conducting tube 6, extending part Way or through the entire lengthof the shank 1. Centrally disposed in the bottom 4 and' extendingupwardly is a tubular stud or member 7, which is preferably formedintegral with the bottom 4 and is provided with a s uared opening 8,extending longitudinally t ough the said stud 7. The lower` portion ofthe opening in the stud is grooved upon opposite sides, as at 9, for apurpose tobe described.

10 indicates a base-plate which is supported on the false bottom 4anddetachably secured thereto by means of the thumb-nut and pivot-bolts11, carried' by the false bottom 4 and adapted to engage the slottedlugs 12 of the said base-plate. (See Fig. 2.) The base-plate is ofannular ring formation, having the inner annular depression or seatportion 13, the outer annular depression or seat portion 14, and theannular flange portion 15. The said base-plate is further provided witha substantially central annular open way 16, through which'it is adaptedto project certain, mechanism to be described, which is employed foractuating the plate supported by and rotatable on the base-plate 10.

The seed-plate to which reference has been made consists of adriving-ring 17 and a driven ring 18. The former is the inner or centerportion of the plate, being provided with the annular out-out portion 19and the tapered peripheral edge 20, provided with.

the notched or seat portions 21. The latter is the outer ring portion,which is provided with an annular channel-feedway 22, in

which is arranged a series of seed-cells, (denoted as 23 and spaced atdesirable intervals.) The outer peripheral edge of the ring 18 has asquare face, while its inner face is tapered to conform to the outeredge of the ring 17, and from the inner edge of the ring 18 at suitableintervals project the lugs 24, which are adapted to engage the notchesor seat portion 21 of the ring 17 for the purpose of locking the sametogether, so that any motion being imparted to rinop 17 it 4insures thering 18 rotating therewit The walls of the feedway 22 of the ring 18correspond substantially .to the outer and inner walls of the saidring-that is, one wall is square and the other tapered, while the cells23 are oblong-and by such formation direct kernels of corn down on edgeor upon their sides into the said cells 23. The ring portion 18 of thesaid plate has its outer portion resting and movable upon the annularledge 14 of the base-plate, while the inner portion thereof rests uponand is movable on the ledge 13. This construction and arrangement1places the seed-cells above the ledge 13, so t at as kernels of cornfind their Way through the cells 23 they will be moved around on theledge until the cells coincide with a feed duct or opening 25 in thebase-platel 10, which is abovelthe ducts 5 and 6 described, when thecorn will be forced into and find its way through the ducts describedinto the shank 1 by the usual ejector. (Not shown.) At a point on thering 18 Where the cells 23 are pierced or formed there is provided onits under face (see Fig. 4,) with guards 26,which serve as a pocketbeneath that portion of the ring 18 in which kernels of corn will lodgeand be conveyed to the opening 25 in the plate 10.

On the tubular stud or member 7 is journaled a bevel gear-wheel 27, thehub of which is provided with the flange portion 28, which is engaged bythe semicircular securingplates 29, in a suitable manner attached to thebase of the false bottom 4. The semicircular plates 29 serve to retainthe gear 27 always in meshing relation with a gear to be described andprevents any upward movement of the said gear when parts carried abovethe same and which have a slidable IOO and locking relation therewithare moved up or down. Extending up from the upper face of the saidgear-wheel is shown the stems or lugs 30, of which there is a series andarranged for the purposes which will soon become apparent.

Encircling the upper portion of the tubular stud or member 7 is shown asleeve 31, the base of which rests upon the hub of the gearannularflange portion 32, the upper inner wheel '27 and is provided with thelower face of the sleeve 31 being grooved to form an offset 33, whichrests upon the upper edge of the stud 7 when the said sleeve is in itslowermost position. Encircling the sleeve 31 is a ratchet-wheel 34, thesame being rotatably mounted upon the said sleeve and whose hub portionis designed to rest upon the flange 32 of the sleeve 31. Theratchet-wheel 34 is provided with the ratchetteeth 35 upon its upperface, and in the body of said ratchet-wheel is provided a series ofholes 35, through which extend. the stems 30 of the bevel-gear 27.

The seed-hopper is indicated as 36 and mayv be of any suitable form,-but for` convenience 47 is a horizontal rod or spindle 49, on the 1 Ihave shown the cylindrical casing 36 sup ported at its lower end on theannular ring 37, which is attached to or may form a part of a cap-plate38, the same having the annular iange portion 39, which rests upon thebaseplate 10 and lies between the peripheral face of the ring 18 of theseed-plate and the flange portion 12 of the base-plate, the ring 37being provided with a ledge 40, overlying the upper outer edge of thering 18 of the seedplate, as shown in the drawings. The ring 37 isconnected to the body of the cap-plate 38, as shown, by the web 41. Themain body of the cap-plate 38, as shown, is dome-shaped, covering thering-section 17 ofthe seed-plate and operative parts disposed centrallyof the said ring 17. The dome centrally merges into thevertically-extended and tubular portion 42, in which are housed parts tobe described. The cap-plate and its outer ring lportion may be locked tothe base-plate in any suitable manner. No means is herein shown; but itis suggested that means similar to the devices employed for locking thebaseplate to the false bottom might be adopted.

43 denotes a rock-shaft extending from one side of the planter-frame tothe other and is suitably j ournaled in bearings formed on the planter 1or attached to the frame parts. On this shaft is revolubly carried asleeve 44, and on the opposite ends of said sleeve are carried the bevelgearewheels 45, adapted to be longitudinally adjustable thereon andaflixed thereto by means of setscrews 46, the said bevel gear-wheelsextending up through the base of the false bottom 4 and are incontinuous mesh with the gear-wheels 27. It will be seen that anymovement imparted to the sleeve 44 will be correspondingly impartedthrough its gears 45 to the gears 27. The sleeve 44 is continuouslyrotated, which also means that the bevel gear-wheels 27 and theratchet-wheels 35 by reason of the stud connection 30 of the gears 27with the ratchets will be continuously rotated. On the sleeve 44 isshown a sprocket-wheel 46a, affixed thereto and adapted to receive itspower from the axle of the planter. By continuously rotating the sleeve44 I am enabled to avoid or obviate the use of clutch mechanism which isusually employed where the driving-shaft is intermittingly actuated andthe sprocket continuously driven.

47 denotes a vertically-disposed plunger or bar which is carried upthrough the tubular stud or member 7 and the upper end lof the sleeve31, and the lower end thereof projects through the false bottom 4 andrests upon a cam 48, which is secured on the rock-shaft 43. The upperend of the plunger just referred to is preferably flush with the upperend of the sleeve 31, and passing through the sleeve and also the upperend of the plunger outer opposite ends of which are secured to rotatethereon the beveled-face rollers 50, which coperate with the ringportion 17 of y the plate in a manner to be described.

Extending up from and secured to the upper end of the plunger 47 is arod or stem 51, which is in reality an extension of the plunger 47. Thelower end of the stem 51 engages a recess 51a in the rod or spindle 49and 'locks the rod through such engagement in vthe plunger, (see Fig.2,) and the upper end of compression-spring 55, which insures the promptreturn of the plunger to its lowermost position when the rollers 50coincide with the oppositely-disposed radial notches or cut-out portion56 of the ring 17. It is adapted in each half-revolution of the platewhen the rollers 50 coincide with the radial knotches or cut-out portion56 of the ring 47 with the roller that the sleeve 31 and the plunger 47will drop of their own weight but to insure these parts returning totheir initial position the spring 55 has been arranged to operate in themanner specified.

When the plate composed of the rings 17 and 18 are at rest, the plunger,the sleeve, and ratchet-gear are in their lowermost positions, with thestem or rod 49 and its rollers 50 substantially half-way through theinner plate 17, holding the said plate and component parts in aninoperative position. To adapt therod 49 and its rollers 50 to passpartially through the ring 17, the body of said ring is provided withoppositelydisposed radial notches orA cut-out portions 56, both of whichmerge into the annular cut-out portion 19 of the said plate, and theupper face of the said plate is provided with t e oppositelyplaced andoppositely-directed tapered ridges 57 and 58, which bound the edge ofthe cutout portion 19, and itis upon these ridges that the rollers 50ride when the plunger and roll- IOO IIO

ers are raised through the actuation of the cam 48, as will bedescribed.

For the purpose of locking the seed-plate to the ratchet-gear 35 whenthe plunger, sleeve, and ratchet are raised I have provided the pawls59, pivoted to the under side of the ring 17 of the plate somewhat asseen in Fig. 6, the said paWls being provided with the dep pending toothportions 60, which are engaged by the teeth of the ratchet-wheel, asseen in Fig. 6, and rotated in the direction of the arrow indicated insaid last-mentioned figure.

The operation of rotating the seed-plate may be briefly described asfollows: When the shaft 43 is actuated, the cam 48 will be partiallyrotated and its cam-surface, engaging or riding beneath the lower end ofthe plunger 47, will cause the same to be raised and by such movementproject the stem 49 and the rollers 5() up through the open way 19 andthe cut-out portions 56 of the rin'g 17, carrying with them the sleeve31, also the ratchet-wheel 34, bringing the teeth of the ratchet inengagement with the pawls 59 of the ring 17 of the said seed-plate and,through the continuous rotation of the bevel-gear 27 in manner asdescribed, rotation will be imparted to the seed-plate through theconnection of the pawls 59 with the teeth of the ratchetwheel, the pins30 of the gear 27 being of sufficient length to permit the ratchet-wheelto be raised and yet not be disconnected from the stems of the drivinggear-wheel. At the instant the plunger reaches its greatest height therock-shaft will begin to return to its first or normal position,carrying with it the cam aforesaid. This is accomplished, preferably, bymeans of a spring 61, one end of which is secured to the bar 2 of themain planterframe and its opposite end attached to an arm 61UL on therock-shaft. In the movement ofthe plate and its driving ring portion 17the rollers 50 have contact with the tapered ridges 57 and 5S of thesaid ring, serving to retain the plate and the ratchet in engagement,and the gearing raised for the purpose of rotating the said plate. Theridges 57 and 58 of the plate are of such contour and so positioned thatas the plate starts the rollers will be on the highest points of thesaid ridges, and in the continued rotation of the plate or one-halfrevolution of the same will ride off of the lowermost points of the saidridges into the cut-out portions 56 and simultaneously therewith dropthe plunger, the sleeve, and ratchet, disconnecting the ratchet from thepawls of' the plate and causing the lower end of the plunger to rest onthe cam, as before, remaining so until the next actuation of therock-shaft for actuating the cam, plunger, and operative parts connectedtherewith. rlhe dropping of the rollers 50 into the cut-out portions 56of the ring 17 stops the plate instantly, preventing further rotation ormovement in either direction by reason of the said rollers beingdisposed between the matching Walls of said cut-out portions 56. Theplunger and component parts are assisted in their downward movement asthe rollers coincide with the cut-out portions 56 of the plate by meansof the spring 55 bearing between the collar 52 and the top of the sleeve31, all of which, it is believed, is understood.

The construction of the seed-plate with only a pair of cut-out portions56 is such that the platev will make one-half revolution and then stop.Should it be desired to rotate the plate one-quarter of a revolution,four ofsuch cut-out portions, such as 56, would be provided and thegearing for driving the same made in proportion, the result of which, itis believed, is clearly apparent.

To prevent the plunger 47 from becoming dislodged should the cap-platebe removed and the boX tipped over, also to obviate any unforeseenaccidents occurring whereby the plunger might be displaced, a pin 61b iscarried through the plunger and is adapted to ride up and down in thegroove 9 in the stud 7.

While there is no valve mechanism shown in the shank 1, it is tobevunderstood such devices would be used, and to operate the same a rod62 is shown carried in the said shank, its upper end attached to an ear63 of the cam 48 and by the same operated at predetermined intervals.

Referring again to the seed-plates and the rings 17 and 18 forming thesame, interchangeable rings may be provided at a very small expensewhere it has been necessary heretofore to replace full-size plates. Thering 18 is here shown having siX seed-cells, whereas other rings may bemade with a varying number of cells and of various sizes, which may becapable of being interlocked with the ring 17 in substitution of the onehere shown.

f In the drawings a tappet-arm 63u is shown secured to the end of therock-shaft 43, adapted to be actuated by a suitable tappetwire, (notshown;) but it is to be understood and while certain devices are notshown it is lintended that the rock-shaft may be actuated by hand orfoot power, if desired, the said rock-shaft being returned afteractuation through the spring hereinbefore described.

lf it is desired to employ the planter for the purpose of drilling, itis to be noted that it is only necessary to retain the plunger and itscomponent parts in a raised position, which will impart a continuousrotation to the seedplate. This may be accomplished by throwing thetappet and locking the same. However, the mode of doing this isnotmaterial, as those versed in the art will comprehend the changing ofthe planter from hill-dropping to drilling, and that by the use of theimprovements such as herein enumerated none of the parts of the seedmechanism or planter need be disturbed when the planter is being turnedat the end of the field.

It is obvious that various changes may be made and that the usual partsof a complete planter may be added to make a complete and operativemachine. It has not been thought necessary to show more than one boX norto show the ground-wheels and the axle, because they form-no part ofthis invention, and I do not wish to be confined to the specific showingmade, but to embody all that will come within the scope and spirit ofthe invention herein.

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Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In combination, a seed-plate consisting of an inner and an outerring, the latter being provided with seed-cells, a plunger, gearing,means for actuating the plunger, and means actuated by said plunger forimparting motion from the gearing to the said seed-plate.

2. In combination, a seed-plate consisting of an inner and an outerring, the latter being provided with seed-cells, a plunger, gearing,means for actuating the plunger, and means actuated by said plunger forimparting motion from the gearing to the inner ring of the saidseed-plate.

3. In combination, ya seed-plate consisting of an inner and an outerring having an interlocking connection and one of said rings providedwith seed-cells, a plunger having vertical movement through the innerring, means for raising said plunger, gearing, and means in operativeconnection with the plunger and gearing whereby when the plunger israised motion will be imparted from the gearing to the seed-plate.

4. In combination, a seed-plate consisting of an inner and an outerring, detachably connected, a plunger vertically movable through theinner ring of said plate, a cam for raising said plunger, means foroperating said cam, and means controlled by the action of said plungerfor operating the said seed-plate.

5. Incombination, a seed-plate consisting of an inner and an outer ringdetachably connected, the outer ring provided with an annular groove inwhich is arranged a series of seed-cells, a plunger vertically movablethrough the inner ring of said plate, a cam for raising said plunger,means for operating 1 said cam, and means controlled by the action ofsaid plunger for operating the said seedplate.

6. In combination, a continuously-driven shaft, anintermittingly-actuated seed-plate consisting of an inner and an outerring detachably connected, the outer ring provided with an annulargroove in which is arranged a series of seed-cells, gearing for rotatingsaid seed-plate from said shaft, a vertically-movable member controllingconnection between the shaft and seed-plate, and means for moving saidmember.

7. In combination, a seed-plate, a member having vertical movementthrough said plate, means for raising and projecting the member throughthe plate, a transverse stem secured to the said member adapted to haveengagement with the upper surface of the plate to retain the memberraised for a predetermined period, and driving parts controlled by themovement of said member for actuating the said seed-plate when themember is raised.

8. In combination, a seed-plate, a member having vertical movementthrough said plate, means for raising and projecting the member throughthe plate, a transverse stem secured to the upper end of said member androllers secured on the ends of vsaid stem adapted to have engagementwith'the upper surface of the plate to retain the member raised for apredetermined period, anddriving parts controlled by the movement ofsaid member for actuating the said plate when the member is raised,

. 9. In combination, a seed-plate provided with a central opening andwith tapered ridges bounding the said opening, a member having verticalmovement through the opening in the plate, means attached to the saidmember adapted when the same is raised to engage the ridges aforesaid ofthe plate,-V means for moving the member, and driving parts controlledby the movement of said member for actuating the said plate when saidmember is raised.

10. In combination, a seed-plate provided with a central opening also-anannular roove in which is arranged a series of seed-ceI pered ridgesbounding the opposite edges of the opening, a member having verticalmovement through the opening in the plate, means attached to the saidmember ada ted when fthe same is raised to engage the ri ges aforels,ta-

said of the plate, means for raising the member, and driving partscontrolled bythe movement of said'member for actuating the said plate4when said member is raised.

11. In combination, a seed-plate provided with a central opening and apair of oppositely-disposed cut-out portions, a member adapted to havevertical movement through the central opening of the plate,oppositelyprojected extensions from the member movable through thecut-out portions aforesaid of the said plate, the said projectionsduring a partial rotation of the plate adapted to engage the uppersurface of the plate between the cut-out portions, means for actuatingthe plunger, and means controlled by the action of the plunger foroperating said seed-plate.

l2. In combination, a seed-plate having a central opening and apair ofoppositely-disposed cut-out portions, a member adapted to have verticalmovement through the central opening of the plate, a stem carriedtransversely through the member and movable through the cut-out portionaforesaid of the plate, rollers carried on the outer ends of said stem,adapted when the member and its stem are raised to engage with thesurface of the plate and lock the plunger and plate in engagement untilthe plate moves mto a position where its cut-out portions coincide withthe rollers aforesaid when said rollers will drop into such cut-outportions and lock the plate against rotation, means for actuatingv theplunger, and means controlled by the action of the plunger for operatingsaid seedplate.

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13. In combination, a seed-plate, a rockshaft, a plunger operatingthrough said plate and controlling the mechanism for rotating the plate,a member on the rock-shaft normally engaging the said plunger, means forrocking said shaft to raise the plunger, and a member secured to theupper end of the plunger operating synchronously with the reverse of therock-shaft to engage with the upper face of the plate to lock theplunger raised, the said plate provided with means, which, after apartial rotation of the same releases the member aforesaid therebycausing the plunger and its member to drop and stop the rotation of theplate.

14. In a planter, the combination of a seedhopper having a false bottom,a base-plate supported upon said bottom and having a discharge-opening,a seed-plate revolubly supportedon said base-plate, the seed-platecomprising an outer ring provided with a series of seed-cells, and aninner driving-ring, and means for imparting an intermittent motion tothe said plate.

15. In a planter, the combination of a seedhopper having a falsebottom,a base-plate supported upon said bottom, a seed-plate revolublysupported on said base-plate, the

same consisting of an inner and an outer ring, one of which is thedriving portion and the other provided with a series of seed-cells, apdmeans for imparting motion t0 the said p ate.

' 16. In a planter, the combination of a seedhopper having a falsebottom, a base-plate supported upon said bottom, a seed-plate revolublysupported on said base-plate, the same consisting of an outer ringportion provided with seed-cells, and an inner ring portion adapted tohave an intermittent connection with gearing for driving the same,continuously-driven gearing supported in the bottom aforesaid, and meansfor connecting the gearing to the plate for imparting an intermittentmotion to the same.

17. In a planter, a seed-plate consisting of an outer and an inner ring,the outer ring provided with a series of seed-cells, pawls pivoted tothe under side of the inner ring, and driving mechanism adapted to havean intermittent connection with the pawls of the ring aforesaid fordriving both the inner and outer rings.

18. In a planter, a seed-plate consisting of an outer and an inner ring,the outer ring having a depressed annular groove and provided with aseries of seed-cells, and means carried by the inner ring adapted tohave an intermittent connection with suitable driving parts foractuating both the inner and outer rings.

19. In a planter, a seed-plate consisting of an outer and an inner ring,the outer ring provided with a series of seed-cells, lugs on one of therings adapted to have an interlocking connection with cut-out portionsof 'the opposite ring, pawls pivoted to the under side of the innerring, and driving mechanism adapted to have an intermittent connectionwith the pawls of the ring aforesaid for vdriving both the inner andouter rings.

20. In a planter, a seed-plate consisting of van outer and an innerring, the outer ringv provided with a series of seed-cells, pawlspivoted to the underside of the inner ring, driving mechanism adapted tohave intervmittent connection with the pawls, and semicircular taperedridges upon the upper surpair of annular depressions one within theother, a seed-plate revolubly supported on thebase-plate, consisting ofan inner and'an outer ring, the outer ring having a portion movable uponthe outer annular depression of the base-plate and a portion movableupon the inner annular depression thereof, the inner ring also movableupon the inner annu- .lar depression of said base-plate, and means forintermittingly actuating the said seedplate.

22. In combination, a rock-shaft, a seedplate, a plunger operatingthrough the plate and adapted to govern the rotation of the seed-plate,a cam on the rock-shaft for raising the plunger, a member on the plunger'adapted when the latter is raised to engage the upper surface of theplate and hold the ,said plunger raised for a predetermined period,means for releasingA the plunger and -member from the plate, and aconnectingrod attached to the cam aforesaid, substantially for theurposes specified.

23. In a p anter, a base provided with a `tubular stem, gearingsurrounding, the stem,

a seed-plate revolubly supported at the head of the stem, a plungermovably carried in said stem, means for projecting the plunger upwardlyand through the center of the seedplate, a member carried transverselyof and at the head of the plunger, adapted when the plunger and memberare raised to engage the upper surface of the plate and to connect thegearing aforesaid to the plate, and means for lowering the plunger andmember to facilitate in releasing the gearing and stopping the action ofthe plate.

24. In a planter, the combination of a hopper-bottom, a hollow stemextending up from the bottom, a gear-wheel revoluble on said stem, meansfor actuating said gearwheel, a sleeve encircling said stem andvertically movable thereon, a ratchet-wheel on the sleeve and connectedwith the gear aforesaid, a plunger movable through the hollow stem, arod carried transversely through the upper end of said sleeve andplunger with portions protruding upon opposite sides of the sleeve, aseed-plate revoluble around the IIO ISO

upper end of sleeve and plunger, means for projecting the sleeve,plunger and rod through said plate and thereby lock the ratchet to theplate for a predetermined period, means for actuating the plunger, meansfor releasing the rod from the plate, and means for causing the plungerand its component parts to drop after the release of the late. p 25. Ina planter, the combination of a hopper-bottom, a hollow stem extendingup from the bottom, gearing surrounding the said stem, a rod carriedtransversely through the stern, connections between rod and gearing, aseed-plate revolubly mounted at the head of the plunger. means forprojecting the plunger and rod through the plate, and through the saidrod to connect and retain the gearing in contact with the plate at apredetermined period, a cap-plate supported above the seed-plate,plunger and rod, an eX- tension Jfrom the plunger carried up in thecap-plate held under tension of a spring, adapted when the platereleases the rod to return the plunger to its normal position andrelease the gearing from the plate.

In testimony whereof I ai'liX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LORENZO D. BENNER. Witnesses:

H. V. GIBSON, ROBERT N. McCoRMroK.

